Fred VanVleet left for Houston and Pascal Siakam mentioned in transfer rumors, the Raptors will probably turn more than ever to their young nugget Scottie Barnes in 2023/24, just to stay in the Top 10 of the Eastern Conference and, why not, find the playoffs.
This is good: the 4th choice of the 2021 Draft says he is in great shape two weeks before the start of the training camp and one month before the opening of the new season.
“ I feel good and am ready to return to work “, announces the 22-year-old player, who is also increasingly engaged with the Canadian community off the court. “ It’s been a long offseason, but I’m ready to get back into it and start building a winning culture here. I missed basketball so much and I just can’t wait to get back to it. »
The future face of the Raptors?
A good omen for Toronto, while newcomer Darko Rajakovic’s men will need to find a successor to Fred VanVleet in the leadership area. A challenge that Scottie Barnes seems ready to take on…
“ I’m just going to be myself, which means someone who is always very enthusiastic and energetic », he then describes, when asked about his short-term objectives. “ I will take on more of a leadership role. The loss of Fred is huge, but it will open up opportunities for other players and myself. It gives us the opportunity to grow and develop our game, it’s a learning process that we will all face together. The “coaching staff” is new, it brings a whole new energy and everything is going well so far. »
In line with the one he gave at the beginning of July, this speech from Scottie Barnes sends a once again positive message to Raptors fans, who see in him the future face of their franchise.
“ I would tell them to expect big things from us this season, that we are going to be really good and to encourage us through the good times and the bad. », Launches the Rookie of the Year 2022, at the end of his second season which is practically identical to his first statistically (15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 interceptions on average).
| Scottie Barnes | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 74 | 35 | 49.2 | 30.1 | 73.5 | 2.6 | 4.9 | 7.5 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 15.3 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | 77 | 35 | 45.6 | 28.1 | 77.2 | 2.3 | 4.3 | 6.7 | 4.8 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 15.3 |
| Total | 151 | 35 | 47.3 | 29.0 | 75.5 | 2.5 | 4.6 | 7.1 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 15.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
